SEATTLE, Wash. – Carson Hansen is making sure Penn State’s running game has more than one name worth watching.
The senior running back delivered a 20-yard rush and a 12-yard touchdown run against Washington, providing an early spark a week after Cam Wallace’s breakout performance against Purdue.
Hansen’s touchdown was his sixth rushing score of the season and the 25th of his collegiate career.
Five of his six rushing touchdowns this season have come against Big Ten opponents.
Wallace entered the Washington matchup coming off a career-high 135 yards on 22 carries in his first career start. That performance helped Penn State snap its four-game losing streak with a 31-17 victory over Purdue.
But Hansen had supplied a substantial portion of that production himself.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.He rushed for 96 yards against the Boilermakers, including a 42-yard gain, and scored a touchdown. Together, Hansen and Wallace accounted for 231 rushing yards as Penn State controlled possession for 43 minutes, 27 seconds.
Hansen’s early contributions against Washington give the Nittany Lions another encouraging development as they try to make that rushing success carry over on the road.
Penn State entered Saturday with only five rushing plays of at least 20 yards through eight games. Hansen’s 20-yard gain added another explosive run to an offense seeking more consistent production on the ground.
The distribution of carries remains worth watching after Wallace’s emergence. Hansen, however, has already provided a reminder of his own value.
For an offense looking to build on its Purdue performance, both backs give Penn State options.
